Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
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I live in Melbourne, Australia and my 10 year old kelpie x border collie is having a rear leg amputated today (just got out of surgery) and I want to thank you all for this amazing site and your stories/experiences. She has had multiple surgeries on the leg, most recently being a hock arthrodesis which failed and was not able to be repeated so we find ourselves here and hopefully with a much happier dog once recovered.
I would never have thought of things that I needed to do in preparation had I not read the forums and blogs! I have been out today and purchased rubber backed hallway carpet runners so she won't slip on the tiles, I've purchased a ruffwear Web Master harness
for when she has healed, I've raised her food bowls, got loads of extra towels ready to cover her bedding and hopefully mentally prepared myself for having her home tomorrow and all that comes with recovery. It sounds like it will be a rough few weeks but fingers crossed we get through it well. So thank you thank you thank you for this site 
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I hope you don't mind that I moved your post here to Beyond Cancer since your pup isn't dealing with cancer, yay!
What is her name?
Since she is a rear amp you should be able to use the harness right away. My current Tripawd is a little rear amp pug mix named Elly. She was hit by a car and lost her leg when she was 7 months old. She has her WebMaster harness on whenever we leave the house.
You know, if you have been through multiple leg surgeries you might find the recovery from the amputation not as bad as you think. My quad pug Obie has had two knee surgeries and his recoveries were waaaaaay longer than Maggie's recovery from her rear amp.
Do you have any specific questions? Let us know when you get her home and how we can help.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Maggie's Story Amputation and Chemo
Find me now on Tripawds Circle
Elly sounds like she'd be very cute! And thanks for the tip with the harness, I guess you're right it will be away from the site and make life a bit easier for both of us! 🙂
Her name is Bess (short and easy to yell across the paddock when we used to herd sheep) and randomly she was also hit by a car at 7 months old. She has been fairly mobile through the years but after surgeries to repair damage and then lastly an arthrodesis we just couldn't salvage the leg. The last recovery was 3 months with cast then bandaging, then another surgery to remove plates etc with restricted movement so you're right - perhaps this recovery will be much quicker? Can only cross my fingers 🙂 She is hopefully home tomorrow morning.
I had a tonne of questions and was absolutely devastated last night as she has been such an athletic, active dog, but finding this site has given me answers & hope that she will get back to having fun with time.
Very interested to read about any exercises that will be able to help her and also rehab once healed (she's about 16kg). I have a good vet who does manipulation and massage (I'm sure it has a proper name) but she is able to free up all of the tight spots & I guess going forward will it be a maintenance thing for her? Every few weeks?
Here is Elly's blog. She is pretty dang cute!
You are very smart to think about rehab and exercises. I work with Elly every day through games, food puzzles, balance exercises and obedience. We are now taking a Nose Work class. We are at the point in the class where the dogs are hunting for treats- Elly loves it. She sits in the kitchen while I hide treats in the living room. When I tell her to 'find it' she searches until she finds them all. It's amazing how challenging their minds really tires them out. We also took a 'Tricks' class. It was fun and challenging for both of us! Here is a video of some of the tricks she can do. Again- another way to challenge the mind and burn energy without taxing the body.
I searched our Gear Blog on 'rehabilitation' and got these results.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Maggie's Story Amputation and Chemo
Find me now on Tripawds Circle
Welcome!!! I love Kelpie dogs!!! Mine new rescue is part kelpie (we think).
Karen gave you some great advice about core work and training. Her Elly is a great example and she's super strong. Can't even tell she's missing the leg.
I will say, when my girl Shelby had her amputation, massage once she healed for the remaining leg in the rear was crucial. They tend to get really tight muscles (like we do when we work out too hard). Can't wait to see more photos of Bess!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Oh gosh! Just catching up! Welcome to your new famikh!
Bess sounds like a very strong and determined gal!!
Yes, relatively speaking, this may not be as scary as you thing compared to everything you two have endured!
Great advice from Karen a dd Alison.
It's ONE surgery, some recovery time and BAM! That's it!! Bess can get on with being Bess with no more pain!!
Recovery is no picnic for about two weeks, more or less. It is major sjrgery a dd getting the pain managed at first can be a bit tricky. The Vet will probably send you home with Tramadol, Rimadyl, an antibiotic and Gabapentin.
When you pick Bess up, don't even bother to look at her incision, she won't. Just look into her happy druggy eyes and tell her what a good girl she is!
STAY CONNECTED and let us know how things are going!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Wishing Bess a speedy recovery!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Welcome Bess and Family!
Sounds like she is a fit girl and will bounce back quickly! She is lucky to have a family so proactive! Sending warm wishes your way!
Cheers,
Kat and Astro
Thank you everyone! So much great advice. And yes she was already on Neurontin which I think is the Australian version of Gabapentin, she has a Fentanyl patch which is her strong pain relief as well as antibiotics etc. And yes I think I will definitely chase up regular massages.
I picked her up from the clinic today after surgery yesterday and I cried a couple of times. I don't know why. But now she is lying here next to me asking for a belly rub and I think what were all the tears about. You guys are right, no more horrible surgeries for her with 3+ months recovery each time! She has already navigated her way through a toilet stop and tried to say hello to the next door neighbours dog in their paddock 🙂 So I think my biggest task will be keeping her quiet for a few weeks!
I'm not sure how to post a pic but I might try one later. She is laying on her back at the moment with her 3 legs in the air grinning at me to scratch her belly. I am just amazed at how tough these animals are xx
They really do not have all the mental issues we have. No worries about being disabled or wondering how to do things. They just figure out how to do what they want to do. I found Otis' recovery from amputation easier than Tess' recovery from cruciate repair. And hopefully, this is Bess' last surgery, ever!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Awww...Such a good update!! She seems comfortable a dd certainly is still ready to have discussions with the neighbor dog!!
She may have a bit of a crash as the fentyl patch wears off. May not either!
And shed tears anytime....this is a very emotional journey you've been on getting to this point!! Somewhere in your subconscious, you jad to feel some relief knowing thst, considering the circumstances, this is a GOOD thing!
And yes Miss Bess, you must take it easy!! No sneaking off on your toilet breaks! Not yet anyway! 🙂
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Love reading the update on Bess!!! Can't wait to see pictures!!!
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Oh wow I hadn't thought of that - possibly her last ever surgery !! I hope that is the case 🙂 I lost her gorgeous sister 6 months ago and then have had a rough ride with Bess dog so I think we are both due for some sunshine and smiles! 🙂
Trying to post some pics of what were her favourite things to do - rounding up the sheep & cows...I don't know what to expect if she will ever do it again but there was a rottie I know of that used to compete herding sheep 3 legged so perhaps we might get there one day 🙂
Also a pic of her post surgery just wanting belly rubs.
Those are great photos!!! I love kelpies in action!!!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
There are lots of dogs on this site who went back to doing whatever they were doing before - sometimes you see a video and cannot even tell the dog is a tripawd. Just ease into it once recovery is over and let her set her own pace.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
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